Chapter 2

Ignoring Kelly's shouts, I left first.

My phone kept buzzing nonstop, blending with the sound of rain outside the taxi.

Like a hammer, shattering all the strength I'd struggled to maintain.

Years ago, Kelly's grandmother Sommerville had given my family a large sum of money, saving us from bankruptcy.

I'd known from a very young age that I needed to repay Kelly.

So during those years when she rejected me, I always put on a smile and stayed close to her: "I won't leave. I promised Sommerville I'd always be with you."

But now, I couldn't continue anymore.

[Wallace, I've already explained. What more do you want?]

[Stop being mad, okay? You've always wanted to get married—let's go get our marriage license tomorrow.]

The sourness hit faster than any other emotion, instantly moistening my eyes.

Actually, Kelly's autism had completely healed in the later years.

She could see patients, perform surgeries, bury her hot breath in my neck in the middle of the night, and prepare gifts for me.

Feeling like I'd finally gotten some response, I'd kept pestering her about marriage.

[Let's wait a bit longer. My family are medical professionals—I want to become Chief of Cardiac Surgery like my father.]

[I'm up for promotion to Chief Physician this year. I'm swamped—where would I find time for a wedding? Let's talk about it next year.]

She'd even shaken my shoulders with a tone of disappointment:

"Joel is your good friend. He's single-mindedly focused on advanced studies and research, wanting to make achievements in medicine. Why are you only thinking about marriage?"

At the time, I hadn't thought it strange that these two people who'd never gotten along suddenly appreciated each other.

I'd even stupidly told her:

"Joel comes from a difficult background. Take care of him for me."

She hadn't responded then, but privately she'd taken care of him in every possible way.

In just two years, Joel not only got promoted quickly but also bought property in Los Angeles's expensive commercial district.

I'd even brought a bottle of wine and dragged Kelly over to congratulate him.

So stupid. Really stupid!

I scrubbed at my face desperately.

Trying to wipe away the tears on my face along with the memories of all those years.

Then I sent Sommerville a text message.

"I've repaid your family's debt. I'm breaking up with Kelly."

When I got home, Kelly was already sitting on the sofa with a diamond ring beside her.

Our eyes met, and she stood up with a light sigh: "Wallace, Joel is at a critical point in his career evaluation. Let's get our license right away—I even prepared the ring... Stop making a fuss."

Not "marry me," but "stop making a fuss."

Even the ring in her palm was a custom design that had appeared in Joel's photos. All I got was an afterthought.

I looked at her, at that face I'd traced a thousand times over, the face I'd kept in my heart since I was eighteen.

I smiled softly: "I'm not making a fuss. I won't interfere with his career evaluation either. And I don't want to get a marriage license with you. Please leave."

Kelly heard the first two sentences and automatically ignored the last two.

She came forward and wrapped her arms around my waist, resting her chin on my back.

Her voice carried a hint of laughter and certainty.

"Get some sleep. Tomorrow morning, post something on social media to explain things for Joel."

I paused slightly: "Explain what?"

Her arms didn't loosen, but her brow furrowed as if deep in thought.

"Just say that Joel and I were lovers all along, and you were the third party who came between us. That way it won't affect his reputation..."

My heart trembled. I stared at her in shock.

Those red lips had kissed me countless times and whispered heart-wrenching sweet nothings to me in the dead of night.

But now, every word she spoke was a knife stabbing into my chest.

I held back my tears and pushed her away.

"What about my reputation? Don't you care about that?"

She paused, as if unaccustomed to my rejection or only just now thinking of this point. Then she laughed.

"Joel's different from you. He came from the bottom, he's an orphan—it wasn't easy for him to get where he is today. You're his friend—you should consider his position more."

Should? Why should I?

When he couldn't pay his tuition and was turned away by security, I was the one who covered the balance.

Senior year, when thugs from off-campus kept harassing him, I was the one who provided people and resources, protecting him at every turn.

I'd often bring him home, telling everyone "This is my brother."

After graduation, when no hospital would hire him due to his weak foundation, I was the one who begged Kelly to make an exception and hire him.

Joel had red-rimmed eyes that day, hugging me and crying his heart out: "Wallace, you've been so good to me. I'll spend my whole life repaying you."

But I never expected his repayment would be sleeping with my woman.

I exhaled the stale air from my chest, raised my head, and looked the woman straight in the eye.

"Kelly! I don't owe you, and I don't owe Joel. Not exposing you two is already my limit. You want me to admit I'm the third party? Impossible!"